Drew Carey's Porsche 911: For Sale on AutoTrader

This was once Drew Carey's Porsche 911

Carey bought the convertible new in 1997

The air-cooled Porsche has just 78,000 miles

The Porsche 911 is known for its driving prowess and sporty look. But this 1998 911 Cabriolet is eyebrow-raising for an entirely different reason: it was previously owned by Hollywood celebrity Drew Carey. And it's currently for sale on AutoTrader.com in Santa Fe, New Mexico.

According to Jim, the 911's current owner, Carey purchased the drop-top Porsche new at Porsche Santa Barbara in southern California. The actor drove it for several years before it went to the next owner. Jim bought it in 2004 and has owned it ever since, rarely driving it.

Carey's ownership was kind to the 911, as is New Mexico's arid climate. The car still looks new, with the original factory radio and only slight creases on the leather seats. While those creases are common for a 15-year-old car, the body's condition is out of the ordinary. That's because it has no dings or dents, and doesn't even show any visible signs of curb rash on the 17-inch Cup alloy wheels.

Carey bought the car in late 1997, just as The Drew Carey Show was gaining popularity on ABC. The show debuted in September 1995 and remained on air through September 2004, ultimately lasting nine seasons and more than 230 episodes.

We're not surprised by Drew Carey's car choice, as the 911 is among the top sports cars on the road. We're also not surprised that he chose a convertible, which is perfect for enjoying southern California's endless sunny days. And we applaud Carey for choosing a 6-speed manual transmission, which offered better performance than the optional 4-speed automatic.

Dubbed the 993 by Porsche, this 911 variant was sold from 1995 to 1998. Many enthusiasts consider it to be the 911's high water mark thanks to its small size and traditional air-cooled engine. Jim says the 911 is available for $38,000 -- a reasonable number considering the car's excellent condition and attractive 78,000-mile odometer reading.

What it means to you: Shoppers interested in an exciting Porsche with a celebrity ownership history should check out Drew Carey's Porsche 911.

What do you think of Drew Carey's Porsche 911? Let us know in the comments below.

Jeffrey Archer
is fortunate to have turned a passion for cars into a career. His wide-ranging automotive experience includes work for automakers and dealers in addition to covering the news. When not writing, he spends his time searching for unique cars on AutoTrader.com.